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ATK v KB: ATK Player Ratings

His plans worked effectively and should be the more happier and disappointed of the two manager's in equal measure. His defence did him proud and overall his team coped fantastically without key players such as Robbie Keane, Jayesh Rane and Ashutosh Mehta. However, having been a striker himself, he probably would feel that the three points were there for the taking in the second half.

GK: Debjit Majumder: 6

Solid throughout when called upon. The only blemish on an otherwise memorable performance came when he parried CK Vineeth's second-half effort straight to Courage Pekuson in the box. On another day that could have cost his team the points.

LB: Keegan Pereira: 6

Got down his flank well and put in a few testing crosses. His crossing was miles better than Blasters' Rino Anto, who found it tough to contain Pereira when he galloped forward. Defensively he came under constant pressure with the Blasters' targeting his flank with lofted balls over his head whenever he was coming back from a forward run. Still, stood up to the test posed by Vineeth quite well.

CB: Jordi: 8

The captain had an outstanding outing, marshalling Dimitar Berbatov and Iain Hume out of the game. Nearly got on the scoresheet from a set piece as well. Vocal and aggressive throughout, he has all the hallmarks of being Teddy Sheringham's rock at the heart of ATK's defence.

CB: Tom Thorpe: 7

A quietly impressive game from the former Manchester United reserve captain. His career may have taken a downturn after being overlooked by Louis van Gaal in favour of fellow academy graduates Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett. However, if the idea was to reinvent himself with this journey to the East, then this was a solid beginning.

RB: Prabir Das: 6

Got forward well on occasion to supplement the attack, although not as often as Pereira on the other flank. Kept Iain Hume quiet with the Canadian having to drift inside to get more involved.

LM: Jose Branco: 6

Struck the post with a delightful effort, the closest the game got to a goal. However, there were vast spells of the game when he was not heavily involved with most of the better ATK moves coming down the opposite flank. Perhaps with a more buccaneering full back (such as Ashutosh) behind him he could have a greater say in proceedings.

CM: Eugeneson Lyngdoh: 6

Largely drifted in and out of the game but always knew where the free man was to play the ball off when put under pressure. An unspectacular but effective outing for the India international.

CM: Conor Thomas: 7

Did the dirty work in midfield well, tackling hard and winning possession back countless times. Provided the balance for Sheringham's men, allowing the likes of Lyngdoh and Pereira to get forward and supplement the attack. Dropped into the middle of the centre back pairing when ATK had the ball to provide additional cover against the counter.

RM: Rupert Nongrum: 6

Not a flashy game from the winger but still put Blasters' Lalruathara in a few tight spots. Linked play up well and kept possession when there was nothing much on, rather than waste the ball with aimless crosses or long balls.

CAM: Hitesh Kumar: 9

May not have got the Man of the Match award but was truly the match's star turn. If this outing was not a flash in the pan and he keeps improving, this 20-year-old could go on to be the next big thing in Indian football. Could have scored from a couple of chances in the first half but his movement, roaming over almost every blade of grass on the JLN pitch was a real highlight. A constant menace throughout.

ST: Njazi Kuqi: 6

A workman-like effort from the Finnish striker who had a tough outing against Jhingan and Pesic. Didn't have any real clear cut opportunities.

Substitutes:

Robin Singh: 6

Put in a solid shift trying to cause Jhingan and Pesic trouble with his physical approach. Created a few panicky moments in the Blasters' defence although he couldn't the goal he was sent on to find eluded him.